Leadership

The Lord is the leader of this ministry.

GO Project is not affiliated with any particular denomination. However, we do exist and operate as an expression of Jesus Christ’s radical love in a fallen world. Our leaders are all passionate followers of Christ.

We believe the Holy Bible to be the inspired, complete Word of God. We adopt the Scriptures as our Statement of Faith – obviously better than what we could fairly summarize ourselves. James 1:27 states: “Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” This verse captures the heart of our ministry. We strive to be doers of the Word, not mere talkers.

Many ministries exclude people from relationship based upon rigid, legalistic religion. That is not the case here. We want all to know, whether Christ followers or not, that we welcome and value you in this ministry.

Founders

GO Project’s mission is transforming lives through orphan care. Interestingly, the first lives transformed in this ministry were not those of hurting children a world away, but of its founders who seemed to already have it all. Read our Founders’ Story (PDF) to learn more about Mike and Beth’s story, and the inspiring beginnings of GO Project.

GO Project was founded in 2003 as C3 Missions International, Inc. (‘C3′), and in 2010 formally changed its name to The Global Orphan Project.

GO Project Board

Mike Fox, Co-Founder/Chairman“Orphans aren’t a problem. They are a blessing.”

After growing up in northwest Missouri, Mike spent the better part of 25 years in various ventures, mostly in the propane gas industry. In 2003, Mike and his wife got involved in helping a handful of orphaned and abandoned children living in Myanmar refugee camps on the Thailand border. One small group of orphan children led to another, then another. Resolving to make a difference in the lives of orphans around the world, Mike traded out his business suits for a backpack, a mosquito net, and a passport.

When not visiting GO Project partners and children around the world, Mike and Beth can most often be found in Parkville, Missouri, surrounded by their five adult children, and a growing gaggle of grandchildren. They are also committed to their local church (Restore), spending time together, and several close friendships with whom Mike enjoys everything from cycling, skiing, and hunting, to sharing a cigar.

Beth Fox, Co-Founder/Vice Chairman“After experiencing the pure love of some amazing orphans, my purpose and passion for life became very clear. I’m humbled to be a part of something bigger than myself.”

After spending early childhood in California, Kansas City has largely been home to Beth. In her twenties, Beth began a rewarding career with Abbott Laboratories, one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. Today, Beth is blessed with five children, their wonderful spouses, and nine grandchildren (and counting).

In 2003, after learning about the plight of a few orphaned children in Thailand, her heart was forever touched. Beth’s passion is now to be an advocate for the 140 million orphaned and abandoned children in the world. Beth has personally served in earthquake disaster relief efforts, postpartum support for young mothers, and in various trip and event leadership roles. Her heart for children is widely recognized and respected as a GO Project guidepost.

Ed Barber, Compensation Committee“I was praying about what God wanted me to do. Read about Mike and Beth in The Wall Street Journal. Couldn’t believe the impact for the dollar. Contacted Mike. Hit it off. Went to Haiti. Small Group sponsored home…we were hooked. In Experiencing God, Blackaby says ‘Find out where God is working and join in.’ Well, God was and is clearly working in GO Project, so we just joined in.”

Ed Barber’s southern childhood growing up with a foster brother and a foster sister as part of his close-knit family, is part of what fuels his passion for orphan care. After graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in accounting, Ed started his professional career as a CPA and then moved into corporate real estate. Over 25 years of involvement and relationships in the commercial and investment real estate markets, particularly in the southeastern U.S., has provided a strong base for Ed’s current activities in private equity real estate investments and capital acquisition.

An article in The Wall Street Journal led Ed to Mike and Beth Fox and GO Project, where he quickly engaged in the logistics of providing orphan care and drawing upon relationships to meet the real-time needs of the organization. Ed has served on numerous boards of various Christian organizations and views his involvement with GO Project as one of his highest callings.

Ed and his wife, Lu, have one teenage son, Cole. Both Lu and Cole have been to Haiti and both are active in supporting the efforts of GO Project. As a family, they were blessed to be part of the founding of Buckhead Church in Atlanta, where they continue to be active members.

Bruce Kusmin, Treasurer“I went to Haiti to help change the lives of children. As I experienced their love and joy, my life changed – for the better.”

Bruce co-founded Mariner Wealth Advisors, specializing in strategic wealth planning and in creating innovative solutions for families and business owners. Bruce has nearly 30 years of experience as a financial advisor and was formerly a senior vice president of investments for A.G. Edwards. Bruce has a bachelor’s degree from Southwest Missouri State University and attended graduate school at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. He has been honored three times as a Five Star Wealth Manager by K.C. Magazine. Bruce serves as a board member of several organizations, including The Global Orphan Project, where he serves as Treasurer and Trip Leader.

Bruce and his wife, Carolyn, have three, adult children who are also involved with GO Project. The Kusmins have also been accompanied on trips to Haiti and Africa by several colleagues and clients at Mariner who have become champions for children as well.

John Larimer, Secretary“GO Project’s function as a direct pipeline from those who have to those who need is what first got my attention and what grew in my heart. The impacts and God’s obvious hand in this work are so clear that I will serve Him here…Joyfully!”

John has nearly 25 years of experience in business management at companies like Bridgestone/Firestone and as CEO of the country’s largest commercial roofing contracting company. In 2003, John co-founded Larimer/Shannon Group to provide exterior architectural design and product solutions for commercial buildings. Their clients are Architects & Design Professionals, Contractors, and Building Owners in the private, public and government sectors. John and his partner wrote into their business charter that they each shall spend four or more hours every two weeks in non-business related philanthropic and important efforts. GO Project is John’s enthusiastic focus with that time.

John attended Penn State, earned an MBA from Emory, and has served on numerous boards in Atlanta. John and his family worship and volunteer at Buckhead Church. He has led several trips to Haiti, where John, his wife, Kate, and their teenage daughter Quinn have made the GO Project’s children’s lives important in their own.

Christopher Levy, Board Member“The determining moment for me, in relation to joining GO Project, was when I saw the heart of Mike and Beth, first for the Lord and also for the children they have chosen to pour their lives into. It is wonderful to be around and to work with two, wonderful people who have answered the call on their hearts.”

Christopher Levy is the President and CEO of Jamaica Broilers Group of Companies – one of the most advanced and diversified agricultural producer in any developing nation today. With over 25 years of senior management experience, Christopher has worked at varying levels in almost all areas of the operation – managing several of the Group’s divisions. Christopher has continued the Group’s far reaching philanthropic pursuits – assisting with nation building through its support for education, sports, the indigent, community empowerment and socially positive programs.

Christopher attended the University of Miami, earned an MBA from Regent University, and successfully completed the Executive Management Programme at Harvard Business School. Christopher serves on multiple boards, including Director of the Board of Moorlands Camps Ltd. – an organization aimed at shaping the lives of young people by imparting strong Christian and character-building values. He attributes his personal success and that of the Group to an abiding trust and faith in the Lord’s guidance. He and his wife, Sarah, live in Jamaica where they are raising their three children – Josephine, Austin and Morgan.

Alan Dietrich, Board Member

“Orphan care changed in my mind and life from a ministry to a mission.”

Alan Dietrich, Chief Operating Officer for Sporting KC, Kansas City’s professional soccer team, first traveled to Haiti in 2007, and was then driven to serve and lead for orphans. Three years on GO Project’s staff and 32 trips to Haiti later, Alan now serves on the board and continues to lead trips and share the stories. Prior to joining GO Project, Alan was Chief Marketing Officer for Cerner Corporation and then Associate Pastor at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. Alan has 2 sons, Drake and DJ, and a daughter, Kelsey. Alan has his Masters in Business Administration from The University of Chicago, and his B.S. in Marketing and Computer Science from Miami University.

GO Project U.S. Senior Leadership

Joe Knittig, CEO

A lawyer by training, Joe left a large law firm in 2003 to start Seyferth Knittig LLC (now Seyferth Blumenthal & Harris), a KC based national employment law boutique. In 2005 by happenstance he fell into the world of orphaned and abandoned children in Haiti. With a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to apply business and advocacy to a new kind of client, Joe left the law practice he loved in 2008 to make an all-in go of an orphan care revolution.

Trace Thurlby, President

Trace spent 20 years in the Air Force, financial services, and Christian broadcasting. On a 2006 trip to Haiti, God pierced his heart for orphans and revealed the bigger story of adoption. Now, Trace and his wife Kristin’s, life desire is to see orphans all over the world get adopted into God’s family.

Adrien Lewis, GO Community Director

Adrien brings more than ten years of sales and management experience, serving most recently as the Regional Vice President for ATI Testing. God moved on Adrien and his wife Cynthia in 2007 showing them His plan for them to care for kids. Adrien now dedicates his time and talents to developing the relationships needed to help orphaned and abandoned kids around the world.

Partners

At The Global Orphan Project we’re grateful for the ongoing partnership of scores of various organizations: local US churches, local international churches, US businesses, international businesses, foundations, families, schools, and the list goes on. Please visit this section regularly in 2011 as we’ll highlight several of the groups that make this ministry GO.

Below we’ve featured two organizations who helped make our first water purification system a reality, providing clean water to hundreds of children throughout this Cholera epidemic in Haiti.